Nicko Cancels Vasco da Gama Norway Sailing as Repairs Continue
The pulled 14-night itinerary included calls at Hammerfest, Alesund and Bergen, while booked guests are being offered alternative cruises or full refunds.
Nicko Cruises has canceled Vasco da Gama’s July 2, 2026 departure, extending the ship’s repair stay at Damen Shiprepair Brest in northern France after technical problems forced the vessel out of service in late April. The 14-night Norway and Scandinavia sailing had been scheduled as the ship’s return to service after five earlier voyage cancellations.
The latest cancellation brings the total to six sailings since Vasco da Gama’s world cruise was cut short during its final leg.
July Norway and Scandinavia sailing pulled
The canceled itinerary was scheduled to visit destinations including Hammerfest, Alesund and Bergen. In a message to booked guests, Nicko said the extra shipyard time followed its review of safety and service standards.
“Our goal is to offer our guests a safe, reliable, and thoroughly enjoyable vacation experience at all times,” the company told passengers.
Affected guests are being offered individual arrangements, including rebooking on alternative cruises and full refunds. For the previously canceled June 14 sailing to Scandinavia and Iceland, Nicko offered guests a full refund, a similar cruise in 2027 or a future cruise credit valid on a Nicko river or ocean cruise, with a 10 percent discount for passengers who rebooked.
The earlier wave of cancellations included a June 9 charter from Kiel and an 18-night cruise scheduled to depart Germany on June 14. Nicko told passengers at that time that a technical assessment had found additional repairs were needed.
Mystic CEO defended the extended repairs
Marios Ferreira, CEO of Nicko parent company Mystic Cruises, addressed the prior cancellations. “Ships of this character and quality require continuous care, attention, and preventive technical maintenance to ensure they continue operating safely and reliably for many years to come,” Ferreira said.
Vasco da Gama is Nicko’s only oceangoing ship
Vasco da Gama is a roughly 55,800-gt, 219-meter ship built by Fincantieri as Statendam for Holland America Line. The vessel carries about 1,270 passengers and has 630 cabins, with crew capacity of 588.
The ship later sailed for P&O Cruises Australia and Cruise & Maritime Voyages. Nicko acquired it in October 2020. Nicko’s broader operation includes more than 20 river vessels, but Vasco da Gama is the company’s only ocean cruise ship.
Nicko said teams onboard and ashore continue working to return Vasco da Gama to service as quickly as possible.
